I read a lot, in pretty much every genre there is. While these days I mostly read YA, I have a big soft spot for romance, as that's what I grew up on. And sometimes, a girl just wants some smut. That's what I was after with WICKED BURN. The story itself is your typical erotica / romance setup. Niall Chandler is recovering from a painful past, and meets Vic Savian, her gruff, sexy neighbor who begins to heal her with the power of his sex. There isn't much relationship developed outside of the (many) sex scenes, and what is there is your typical romance trope of drama after drama leading to steamy reconciliation after reconciliation, without much actual conversation until the conclusion. This kind of formula is a bit par for the course in the genre, and I don't mean to say that disparagingly. There are some authors who work within the traditional formulas of the romance world, and do it so spectacularly that they are able to create tension and suspense even while their readers know exactly what's coming next.Beth Kery, unfortunately, is not one of those authors. At least not with WICKED BURN. However, all that I can forgive. What I can't forgive--and fear I may never be able to forget--was the AWFUL language and imagery used in the love scenes. I think I spent a good 75% of the story with my face scrunched up, fighting back the gag reflex.For instance:MOIST TISSUES. Oh god. LIQUEFIED FLESH. And the pièce de résistance, "Now that's a juicy little pocket." AND NO, HE WASN'T TALKING ABOUT THE MICROWAVABLE SNACK.And those are just a few examples of the many, many awkward and repulsive phrases used. By the end of the book (why I decided to push through to the end, I'm not sure) I felt physically exhausted and in need of a palate cleanse. Please let me know if you have any good recommendations. And beware, my fellow smut readers. (Note: I don't usually write reviews as blatantly snarky as this, but I find humor heals all wounds, and I am deeply traumatized.)